The outdoor season may be coming to a close in Asbury Park and Brick Township, but locations in Princeton and New Brunswick remain in prime season.
Asbury Fresh has come a long way since its opening season in 2012 when five vendors set up for selling. According to the market's website, this is New Jersey's largest local artisan and farmers' market -- with more than 55 farmers and handmade artisan vendors participating on a weekly basis. For those who have yet to check it out, now's the time -- it closes for the season on on Sept. 10. The final three opportunities to shop will be will be 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, and 5:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday and Sept. 10. The complete list of vendors can be found here. Kennedy Park, Cookman and Grand Avenues, in Asbury Park.
Like Asbury, the end of the selling season is fast approaching, with just two more shopping days remaining: 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 5 and 12. DeWolf Farms has strawberries, blackberries, tomatoes, peppers and more. Beckage Farms brings a full line of fruits, vegetables, and honey and dutch backed goods. Have a pickle craving? Jaker's Pickles is the place to settle it. Marinated mushrooms, stuffed olives, pickled mangoes and pineapples are some of the other flavorful items vendors bring on a weekly basis. Windward Beach Park, 265 Princeton Ave., Brick Township
Residents, students, faculty members, or those just strolling through town on Thursdays should consider swinging by Hinds Plaza, 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. There are organic vegetables from Cherry Grove Organic Farm and Chickadee Creek Farm; Greek yogurt, plain yogurt, ricotta and mozzarella cheese from Fulper Farms; as well as fresh chickens, eggs, beef, pork and lamb from Lima Family Farms. (Here's the complete list of vendors.) This one remains open, rain or shine, through Nov. 19.
This partnership between the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences and the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station continues to provide a variety of locally grown products -- meats, cheeses, poultry, vegetables and baked goods. This weekly market is held 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays through November. Hort Farm No. 1 - Office Building, 112 Ryders Lane, New Brunswick.
As an added bonus, the group is hosting its inaugural Garden Party 5 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Log Cabin and Alumni Pavilion, 140 Log Cabin Road. This foodie night out will include food and wine offerings from vendors along with a special appearance from award-winning journalist and chef, Rachel Weston. Her recently published book, "New Jersey Fresh: Four Seasons of Farm to Table," is likely to be a hot topic of discussion as it features five of the market's vendors. Tickets are $100 for Rutgers Garden Members and $125 for non-members. Call 732-932-8451.
Contact Bill Gelman at bkgelman@hotmail.com. Find NJ.com Food on Facebook.
